Buy Oolong Teas Online

Oolong Tea

Semi-Oxidized Tea

All tea, whether black, green, oolong, puerh or white, is made from the leaves of the same plant -- Camellia Sinensis. The difference between the various types of tea is in how it is processed, and the level of oxidation. Oxidation is the process by which enzymes in the tea leaf break down, causing a darkening of the leaf and the development of certain organic compounds.
Generally speaking, oolong tea is considered to be a semi-oxidized tea. There are, however, various styles of oolong tea; some are only slightly oxidized, while others are more heavily oxidized. The production of oolong tea is the most complicated of any tea. The production process involves numerous steps, and requires considerable skill and knowledge. To make oolong tea, tea makers shake tea leaves in baskets to bruise them, and then the leaves are allowed to oxidize for a specific period of time. Once the desired level of oxidization is complete, tea makers heat the leaves to stop the process. The production of a premium oolong, is considered to be a fine art.